Keith LeClair was a left-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played from 1988-1995. While he had a relatively short major league career, LeClair had some strong seasons and developed a following among baseball card collectors. As a result, LeClair cards can still be found on the collectibles market today, including on the popular online marketplace COMC (Cardboard Connection).
Let’s take a deeper look at Keith LeClair’s playing career and the various baseball cards featuring him that enthusiasts look to acquire from COMC and elsewhere. LeClair was born in 1963 in Sanford, Maine. He was drafted by the Houston Astros in the 6th round of the 1984 MLB Draft out of the University of Southern Maine. LeClair made his big league debut with Houston in 1988 at age 25. He spent his first 3 seasons splitting time between the Astros and their Triple-A affiliate.
LeClair showed promise in 1990 when he made 22 starts for Houston, posting a 3.79 ERA over 124.1 innings pitched. This breakout season led to plenty of collectors seeking out his 1990 baseball cards. Top options include a rookie card from Fleer and Donruss, as well as cards from Score and Upper Deck. Plenty of LeClair 1990 rookies can still be found on COMC in penny sleeve protectors for $1-2 each. In mint condition, prices climb into the $5-10 range, reflecting the demand for affordable rookie cards from the junk wax era.
After two more seasons with Houston, LeClair was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies in December 1992. He enjoyed the best years of his career in Philadelphia from 1993-1995. In 1993, LeClair made 26 starts and logged 155 innings while recording a career-low 3.51 ERA. His performance that year increased interest in his 1993 baseball cards. Popular issues include Donruss Studio, Fleer Ultra, Finest Refractor, and Topps. LeClair’s 1993 Donruss Studio card in particular has gained collector interest in recent years. Mint condition copies routinely sell for $15-25 on COMC.
LeClair followed up his strong ’93 campaign with another solid season in 1994. He started 33 games and threw 200 innings while posting a 3.80 ERA. Collectors seeking his 1994 Phillies cards have several iconic designs to choose from, such as Topps, Fleer, Pinnacle, and Upper Deck SP Authentic. LeClair also received additional card issues that year focusing on his success with Philadelphia. These include special Philadelphia-themed sets like Stadium Club Phillies and SP Premier Phillies. LeClair’s 1994 Topps card usually trades hands on COMC for $3-5, while premium parallels like SP Authentic and especially rare autographed versions command far higher prices.
Regrettably, arm injuries cut short LeClair’s career. He made only 6 starts in 1995 before undergoing season-ending surgery. This soured what had been LeClair’s best years in the big leagues. His final MLB season was represented well in 1995 sets like Donruss Preferred, Pinnacle, and Upper Deck SP. But production was cut short, making mint LeClair cards from ’95 harder to locate. On the secondary market, well-centred 1995 Donruss Preferreds in slap grades sell for $8-12.
After rehabbing throughout 1996, LeClair attempted a comeback in 1997 with the Red Sox Triple-A team. Arm problems resurfaced and he was released that May, effectively ending his playing career at age 34. In parts of 8 MLB seasons between 1988-1995, LeClair amassed a career record of 33-37 with a 4.19 ERA over 107 games started and 617.2 innings pitched.
While LeClair never achieved stardom, collectors still seek out his baseball cards decades later. He resonated with many collectors as an underdog lefty who enjoyed career-best seasons in Philadelphia. Complete rookie card sets are attainable for budget-minded collectors on COMC. Meanwhile, premium parallels and autographed memorabilia attract higher-end enthusiasts. LeClair autograph signings have also allowed newer card productions over the years by companies like Topps, Upper Deck and Leaf.
For those scouring COMC, the best Keith LeClair baseball cards to pursue are generally from his breakout years of 1990-1995. Demand is highest for rookie issues, Philadelphia Phillies cards showing LeClair at his competitive peak in 1993-1994, and rare autographed memorabilia. Overall condition is paramount, as is finding affordable graded copies where applicable. By combining LeClair’s compelling story with the availability of his cards across multiple decades, collectors continue to keep his playing career and cardboard contributions alive decades after his retirement from baseball.
